Display container



March 30, 1943. G, JENSEN 2,314,943

DISPLAY CONTAINER Filed Oct. 8, 1941 'INVENTOR.

ATTORM'EYS' Gmmm/enaen Patented Mar. 30, 1943 DISPLAY CONTAINER Gustav Jensen, New York, N. Y., assignor to Bulova Watch Company, Incorporated, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application ctober 8, 1941, Serial No. 414,048

6 Claims.

This invention relates generally to display containers. More particularly it relates to containers adapted for the display of articles such as watches, pieces of jewelry, and the like, and having a body provided with means for receiving or supporting the article, a cover hinged to the body and adapted to overlie the same so as to conceal and protect the article, or to be raised so as to expose the article for display.

While the invention has been disclosed herein in its application to a display container of the character described, it is to be understood that it is not necessarily so limited, but that, particularly as to certain phases thereof, it may have application to other types of containers and in particular to containers not provided with covers.

The general object of the invention is the provision in a display container of a simple and inexpensive construction that is at the same time effective for the intended use of the container and that results in an attractive appearance.

Among the more particular objects of the invention is the provision in a display container of a body portion consisting of only two pieces, the provision of two-piece body portion having its pieces secured together by means that will not spoil the finish of its two constituent pieces, whereby the latter may be finished prior toassembling them, and further the provision in a display container providedwith a hinged cover of a construction whereby the individual parts thereof may be finished separately prior to their assembly into the finished article, and whereby a great variety of finishes in the completed article may be furnished to a consumer by a dealer who stocks only a relatively small number of finished parts which he may assemble in various combinations of finishes to produce the great variety of finishes in the completed article referred to hereinabove, and whereby similar advantages accrue to the manufacturer.

These objects and such other objects as will hereinafter appear or 'be pointed out are attained in the illustrative embodiment of my invention shown in the drawing, in which:

' Figure 1 is a'p'erspectivefviewlof anillu'strative embodiment of my improved display container, with the cover therebfin closed'position, this figure being on a somewhat smaller scale than the remaining figures; f r

- Figure 2 is a plan "ew of the container of Figure 1 with portions broken away todiscloset'he underlyi construction; I V

' Figur '3ji'is ianelevational'view thereof with portions broken away to disclose the underlying construction;

Figure 4 is an end view thereof, but with the cover in its open position;

Figure 5 is an exploded view of the parts of the container of Figure 1 before assembly thereof;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the container of Figure 1 with portions broken away along the plane indicated by the line 6-45 of Figure 1 so as to show the parts in section; and

Figure 7 is a fragmentary, sectional View, on an enlarged scale, taken substantially on theplane indicated by the hne 1-1 of Figure 2, looking in the direction of thearrows.

Referring now to the drawing, the container illustrated therein consists of three main parts, the body 13,- the cover C and an insert D, which seats in the body portion.

The body B consists of two parts, one of which is designated in general by 10 and the other by I l. The part In is madeof sheet material, such as sheet metal and may be described as having side portions of inverted U-shape, these side portions each comprising upwardly extending vertical legs l2 and I3, and I4 and I5, respectively, and the legs l2 and I3 are connected at their bases by a horizontally extending portion l6, while the legs M and l5 are connected at their bases by a horizontally extending portion H. A strap 18 connects the upper ends of the legslz and I4, and a similar strap 19 is shown as con-1 necting the upper ends of the legs l3 and I5.

. It will be seen that the legs [2 and I4 together with the strap I8 define what may be described as an inverted U and the same may be said of the legs l3 and I5 and the strap l9. 7

. Projecting inwardly from the piece l6 are shown a plurality of lugs 20, each provided with a slot 2| for a purpose that will appear hereinafter, and a similar set of lugs22 provided with slots 23 projects inwardly from the portion ll, these latter being shown in dotted lines in Figure 6, as they are masked by the portion ll in said figure.

i The base I l of thecontainer is a piece of sheet material, such as sheet metal of generally rectangular conformation having a bottom portion 24 and up-tur'ned ends 25 and 2t. Struck up from the portion 24 at the sides thereof and positioned so as tov register with the slots 2| and 23 of part III, are a plurality of tongues 21.

To obtain an ornamental appearance itis desirable that the parts 10 and H be finished in a differentmanner. By way of example I may provide an attractive. metallicfinish on the part I0, such as polished brass, while the part H may be covered with ornamental sheet material, such as velvet. This has been indicated at 28 as covering the lower surface and the outside surface of each of the end portions of the part II, and the edge portions thereof have been shown at 29 turned in all around the rim of the part II.

Parts l0. and. U are. relatively, so, contouredand dimensioned that. the rim- DjOIitiOIlS of" thepart II register with those of the part l0, and fit within the latter when the parts are in assembled relation.

In order to produce a complete body portionLiti is merely necessary to assemble the parts. I and? H by inserting the tongues 21" offpart', ll into. the slots 2| and 23 of the part III andltherrto. bend down the tongues 21 as has been indicated in Figure 7. It will be observed that by this method of assembly it is possible to finish the individual parts I!) and II before assembly and then to efiecttheir assembly; byan. operation which will in no way mar the finishi. It: will' further be-observed that the resulting "construction is simple and attractive.

The attractiveness of the construction: may be enhanced by rounding: off the" corners of the end portions 25 and 2B of the'part ll, andb'ending these partsupwardly from the portion 24 alonga-graceful curve, and by correspondinglycontouring the adjacentiportions of part I01 The cover C of the container is shown as comprising a body, or main portion having its front and its rear portions turned'down as shown at 36a and 301) respectively, so as to give the cover an arched formation and an inverted U- shaped transverse cross-section. Th'ebody portion 30 is constituted by an inner foundation 31-, which may be of relatively rigid sheet" material; such as sheet metal, onthe outsideof which is superposed an ornamental covering 32', such'as velvet, and on theinside an inner ornamental lining 33.

In order to strengthen the piece ."H' andto avoid sharp edges which might cause injury, it may be formed with in-tur-nedi flanges 34 along its rim portions, exceptat the back at which the rim is left unturned; At its ends I have shown the back rim portions curled in' such a" manner as to form'sockets 35' each adapted to receive therewithin a pintl'e 36. Each pintle' 39,; when seated in' a socket 3,5- is-' positioned to, extend through an opening 31 in a- Iug 38eXtendingoutwardly from thepa rt mat the meeting" of the legs l2 and l3 with the portion liftherebyproviding a hinge mounting for the cover:

The assembly of the cover may be effectedby first placing the cover in position and-therrin: serting; thepintles 36" through the openings 3-1 of the lugs 38* and-into the-openings in the sockets 35-, which may be slightly tapered s o-' as-to= grip the pintle 36; It willbeobviousthat thisas sembly must be effected before the part-f H" is attached tothepart it;

The assembly is completed by the insert or lining piece D, which comprises a" main orbody portion 39- and a support- 40 'for the' article to be displayed in the box; which support fits removably into a cavity in the part 39:

The part 35 may consist of arr 'innenor' foundation part of sheet material; suchas-sheet-metal; having a main section 4l andends- 42 and 4-3 bent upwardly therefrom; while flanges Maudarebent downwardly-therefrom: The outer-exposed-surface-ot' piece 39 may be covered with ornamental sheet material 4| a; such as velvet;

ISI

The part 39 is so contoured that it may be seated within the body portion B of the container, with its flanges 44 and 45 disposed inside the portions l6 and I! of the part III, while the ends 42 and 43 fit within the overhanging, hollow end portions of the part l0, and catch underneath the same, thereby closing the openings in these hollow end, portions and. atthesame time holding, the :insert in 'place within theibody portion.

An opening is formed in the middle of the part 3.9, and this opening has flanges 46 turned downwardly so as to form the walls for a well or cavity intwhich the supporting portion 40 seats.

It will be understood that the covering Me of the portion 4| will; preferably extend into this well, so asntoformqa lining for the sides thereof and to form a bottom therefor, shown at 41 in Figure GL Theinsert D may be secured in place in the body of the container in any suitable or preferred manner. For: this pur-posev -I have' shown by way of'exampleawsheetiof material; such aspaper, cementedzto. thevportion 4'Ton': oneside and to the base 24 on-its otherside'. This may be effected, it will be-observed; withoutinjuring th'e'finish of these parts;

The supportlll; whichuas already stated'seats into-v the well' in: the part. 39', may comprise a foundation layer of sheet material 49', such assheetmeta-Llover the outer surface ofwhich is laid an ornamental lining: 50; such as velvet, to the inner-surface of which maybe applied a lining; of a sheet material: 5|

It will beiobserved' that the assembly of the insert139? and: itslsupport 40 is also effected in a manner that .will'n'otmar the finish ofthe parts.

By providing a manner of assemblythat-will not injure. the finish of the pa-rtsit will be obvious thateconomyrofimanufacture and distribuwill. be obvious to. those skilledin, the art.

tion. result where the container is to be sold in a variety 'ofgfinish'esr Assume for instance-=thatthe parts l0,v H C and Dlare eachistocked separately intwo finishes; 'Iheseafomtpartsbeaehin two finishes; may; be combined-in sixteen" different ways: to produce sixteen difierent finishes. In. other words. a .consumen-calling:;for: any. one

of these sixteen finishes.- can be promptly served: by merely assembling thenecessar-y partsrbythesimple. assembly operations; described hereinabove It it. were i attempted to stock the com.-

pleted articlesin; sixteendiiferent finishes. this would involve themanufacture: or.- stock-ing, ofv at least sixteen ofeachlof; thepar ts, or atleast eight, times the investment. of capital; required wherefthe, Darts,- are stocked individually;

Whilev I have herein. disclosed. one} illustrative forrnof myinvention, itisto, be understood thatthe samemay. be embodiediin many other, forms without departing from] the. spirit, thereof; as.

will further be understood that the disclosure.

lerein is, byway, of, illustration only: andis, not to, be interpreted in a limiting, sense, and that I donot', limit myself. other. than vas. calledflfor by the prior art;

Having, thus described my invention andillustrated its .use, what Ifnow. claimas new and desireto secure by Letters Patent is;

1'. In a display container: a frame todefine the base member, said frame comprisingtwodongitudinally, extending members. of a. length and spaced apart'a. distance to define thelength and Width of'the container; andv UJ-shapedjportions connecting, the

extending upwardly from; and. corresponding ends of saidmembers, the connecting webs of the U-shaped portions being positioned at an elevation to define the thickness of the container, and a cover member of U- shape conforming in shape to that of the said U-shaped portions and of a length corresponding to the distance therebetween, said cover being hinged along one of its longitudinal edges adjacent to the upper edge of one of the frame members, whereby the cover will be received between the vertical legs and the connecting webs of the U-shaped portions of the frame to complete the assembly of the base frame and the cover.

2. In a display container: a metal stamping to form the frame of the container base, said stamping comprising two longitudinally extending members of a length and spaced apart a distance to define the length and width of the container and portions connecting the corresponding ends of said members and said portions being U-shaped with the legs thereof integral with the respective ends of said members and the connecting webs thereof positioned at an elevation to define the thickness of the container; and a cover member of a U-shape conforming to that of the said Ushaped portions and of a length corresponding to the distance therebetween, said cover member being hinged along one of its longitudinal edges adjacent to the upper edge of one of the frame members, whereby the cover will be received between the vertical legs and the connecting webs of the U- shapd portions of the frame to complete the assembly of the base frame and the cover.

3. In a display container; a base comprising a frame and a wall forming member, said frame comprising two longitudinally extending members of the full length of the base and spaced apart a distance which is substantially that of the width of the base and inverted U-shaped portions extending upwardly from the opposite ends of the longitudinally extending members with the legs of each portion extending upwardly from the corresponding ends of the frame members and with the connecting web of the portions extending transversely of and elevated above said members; said wall forming member having its ends bent upwardly to define a bottom wall substantially of the length and width of the base and opposite end walls of a height corresponding substantially to the elevation of the aforementioned connecting web, whereby the frame and the wall forming member can be assembled to complete the base, with the end walls of the wall forming member received in vertical registration with the U-shaped portions of the frame to form end walls or closures for said frame and with the bottom wall of said wall forming member positioned to form a bottom Wall for said frame.

4. In a display container; a base comprising a frame and a wall forming member, said frame comprising two longitudinally extending members of a length and spaced apart a distance corresponding to the length of the base, cross members connecting the ends of these members,

said cross members being bent upwardly into inverted U-shape with the connecting web extending transversely of and elevated above said members to define the height of the base; said wall forming member having its ends bent upwardly to define a bottom wall substantially of the length and width of the base and opposite end Walls of a height corresponding substantially to the elevation of the aforementioned connecting web, whereby the frame and the wall forming member can be assembled to complete the base with the end walls of the wall forming member received in vertical registration with the U-shaped portions of the frame to form end walls or closures for said frame and with the bottom wall of said wall forming member positioned to form a bottom wall for said frame and whereby the frame and the wall forming member can be completed as to surface treatment and then assembled without marring the surfaces so treated.

5. In a display container; a base comprising a frame and a wall forming member, said frame comprising two longitudinally extending members of the full length of the base and spaced apart a distance which is substantially that of the width of the base and inverted U-shaped portions extending upwardly from the opposite ends of the [longitudinally extending members with the legs of each portion extending upwardly from the corresponding ends of the frame members and with the connecting web of the portions extending transversely of and elevated above said members; said wall forming member having its ends bent upwardly to define a bottom wall substantially of the length and Width of the base and opposite end walls of a height corresponding substantially to the elevation of the aforementioned connecting web, the end Walls of the wall forming member being received within the U-shaped portions of the frame to form end walls or closures for said frame and the bottom wall of said wall forming member being positioned to form a bottom wall for said frame.

6. In a display container; a frame to define the base member, said frame comprising two longitudinally extending members of a length and spaced apart a distance to define the length and width of the container and transverse portions connecting the corresponding ends of said members, said connecting portions being bent upwardly into inverted U-shape with the connecting webs of said portions elevated, to define the height of the container, and a cover member of U-shape conforming in shape to that of the said U-shaped portions and of a length corresponding to the distance therebetween, said cover being hinged along one of its longitudinal,

edges adjacent to the upper edge of one of the frame members, whereby the cover will be received between the vertical legs and the connecting webs of the U-shaped portions of the frame to complete the assembly of the base frame and the cover.

GUSTAV JENSEN. 

